KNOXVILLE, Tenn. _ Less than two weeks after having surgery to repair a fracture in his left hand, junior wide receiver Julio Jones showed just how effective he can be even with a wounded wing.

He merely set the Crimson Tide record for receiving yards in a single game with 221 on Saturday, and his 12 receptions were second behind D.J. Hall's 13-catch performance in 2007, also against Tennessee.

"I was waiting for that to happen," sophomore safety Robert Lester said about Jones.

Jones had eight receptions for 107 yards in the first half alone, including a 42-yard sideline catch when the Volunteers left in man coverage, en route to setting career highs in both categories. His previous career high for receptions was nine in last year's Auburn game, and he had 128 yards at LSU in 2008.

Junior Alfred McCullough made his second straight start at right tackle. Redshirt freshman D.J. Fluker (groin) was his backup. Junior Phelon Jones played star in nickel formation with junior defensive back DeQuan Menzie hindered by a groin injury that got worse as the week progressed.

Sophomore Kerry Murphy started at defensive end. Junior receiver Marquis Maze returned punts for Jones again. Junior defensive end Marcell Dareus said his foot/ankle was sore but was otherwise fine.

Redshirt freshman Eddie Lacy (knee) did not make the trip.

McElroy on another streak

By attempting 32 passes without having an interception Saturday senior quarterback Greg McElroy extended his string of passes without a pickoff to 121, which dates back to the second quarter at Arkansas. That's the sixth longest string in Alabama history and he already has two of the top five:

McElroy entered Saturday's game averaging one interception every 54 attempts and was the Southeastern Conference's career leader in that category, one per 63.4 attempts.

He also moved into sixth on the Alabama career pass completions list and seventh in career passing yards.

Tide-bits

Alabama finished 2-1 against the Eastern Division, but is one of only two Western teams to lose against an East opponent this season. Overall the division is 11-2, with the losses Alabama at South Carolina and Vanderbilt at Ole Miss.

Alabama brought 12 offensive linemen including true freshman Arie Kouandijo, but had just four running backs with Mark Ingram, Trent Richardson, Demetrius Goode and Jalston Fowler. True freshman tight end Brian Vogler made the trip and like Kouandijo hasn't played in a game.

For the first time in a long time Alabama is averaging more fans per home game than Tennessee. Coming into Saturday's game, which drew 102,455, the Tide was averaging 101,821 in attendance (fourth most in the nation), compared to 99,699 for the Vols (sixth). Incidentally, Saban made a point to tell reporters that he's never had as much supportive crowd noise on the road.

Tennessee unveiled its new Techfit compression football jerseys, which is basically the adidas version of the Nike combat jerseys. The Tide will wear those against Mississippi State. ... Hubert Owens' crew officiated the game, with Doyle Jackson the replay official. ... Team captains: Dareus, Dont'a Hightower and David Ross.